Filling machine



Sept. 22, 1959 w. H. NEWEY ETAL 2,905,363

FILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1955 u 0 ,n R m mms m #5 A .1 ma. WW B Sept. 22, 1959 I w. H.NEWEY Em 2,9 5,3

FILLING MACHINE Filed Se t. 14. 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

INVENTORS M///'d/n Newey BY Wa/fer J. Sr'er/ag JJ chum ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1959 w. H. NEWEY ETAL 2,905,363

FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, l955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I IN VEN TORS M//'mn Newey BY h/a/fer- '5. \f79r/lhd d. M a...

A T TORNE Y Sept. 22, 1959 w. H. NEWEY E AL 2,905,363

I FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1955 Fig. 10

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 11

J QuMALu ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1959 w. H. NEWEY E 2,905,363

FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 14 m 1 3a 132 13c QMQLMgW A T TORNE Y Unied Sttes Patent FILLING MACHINE William H. Newey, Hingham, and Walter S. Sterling,

Quincy, Mass, assignors to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts This invention relates to a filling machine and more particularly to a gravity type liquid filling machine. The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved filling machine of the character specified wherein novel provision is made for controlling the flow of the liquid into the containers in a manner such as to provide uniform quantities of liquid in successive containers in a simple, rapid and efiicient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved filling machine of the character specified having a liquid control valve of novel structure adapted to accurately control the flow of liquid into the containers and to prevent dripping of liquid from the discharge nozzle upon completion of the filling operation.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the filling machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a filling machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of an elevator operated control valve to be referred to;

Fig. 4 is a detail view partly in cross section of a rotary valve forming a part of the control mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustrating a portion of the rotary vlve in one position of operation;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the valve in a diiferent position of operation;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a filling head showing the liquid control valve in its open position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the valve in its closed position;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional detail view of a portion of the filling head showing a different discharge nozzle;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of an air cylinder forming a part of the present control mechanism to be referred to;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the air cylinder in a diiferent position of operation;

Fig. 12 is a detail view partly in cross section showing the control valve between the source of supply and the liquid supply tank;

Fig. 13 is a detail view partly in cross section showing a portion of the control mechanism for maintaining a unifonn filling level in the liquid supply tank;

Fig. 14 is a piping diagram illustrating the various pneumatic controls for operating the liquid control valve and liquid level control mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a control cam partly in cross section as viewed from the line 1515 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is a detail view in side elevation as seen from the line 1616 in Fig. 1 illustrating a portion of the one revolution clutch and control therefor; and

Fig. 17 is a similar view as seen from the line 17--17 in Fig. 1 and showing a different portion of the one revolution clutch.

In general in its preferred form the present invention contemplates a novel and improved liquid filling machine of the gravity type wherein provision is made for accurately controlling the quantity of liquid introduced into successive containers and which embodies a filling head having a novel liquid control valve wherein both opening and closing motions are positively and accurately controlled, the closing movement of the valve being preferably performed gradually to taper off the flow through the valve and discharge nozzle and to thereafter,

create a slight suction in the discharge end of the nozzle for the purpose of preventing dripping from the nozzle when the filling operation is completed. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the filling head is provided with a chamber having a liquid inlet at one side thereof and a depending discharge nozzle. control valve comprises a vertically movable member which may extend through the chamber and through a reduced diameter opening formed immediately below the chamber, the cylindrical wall of which forms a seating area for the movable valve member extended therethrough. The movable valve member may be entirely of resilient material or, as herein shown, may be provided with a resilient ring at its outer periphery for engagement with the seating area which latter may be slightly smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of the resilient portion of the vertically movable valve member. In operation, movement of the valve member downwardly out of engagement with the wall of the seating opening permits passage of liquid through the discharge nozzle and into the container to be filled, and as the liquid flowing into the container approaches a predetermined filling height or level in the container, the movable valve member is gradually elevated through novel timing mechanism to be described to present the resiilent portion of the valve member into engagement with the cylindrical wall of the reduced diameter seating opening whereby to effect slight compression of the resilient member to cut oft" the fiow of liquid. In practice during such gradual closing of the valve the flow of liquid through the nozzle is gradually reduced whereby a minimum of disturbance of the liquid is effected when approaching the filling height in the container, and thereafter a slight continued upward movement of the valve member elfects a slight suction to retain the column of liquid remaining below the valve member within the nozzle whereby to prevent dripping therefrom at the end of the filling operation.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention provision is made for maintaining a uniform hydrostatic head of liquid in the supply tank whereby to maintain a uniform pressure for controlling the flow of liquid through the filling head. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention novel float actuated and pneumatically controlled mechanism is preferably employed for this purpose which is adapted to control a flow of liquid from the source of supply to the supply tank in a manner such as to maintain a substantially uniform level of liquid in the supply tank at all times. Provision is also made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for maintaining a relatively high column of liquid above the liquid control valve at the start of each cycle of operation providing a consistently uniform head of liquid above the valve for successive filling operations whereby to enable rapid starting of the flow of liquid upon opening of the valve to perform the filling operation.

In accordance with still another feature of the inven-v tion, novel timing mechanism is provided for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid control valve where- The liquid 2'59 as; seeby the amount of liquid permitted to How into successive containers may be accurately controlled. The present timing mechanism is preferably provided with pneumatic cohtrols arranged'toihitiate operation-attire timing mechanism' updn elevationof the containers into filling position to effect opening of the liquid controlvalve and tostart'th'e'flow' of liquid into the containersj and after a predetermined are accurately controlled interval of time the liquid contr'ol valveis'arrangedtd be gradually closed as it approaches the end of the filling. cycle. Provision is'a'lso niadefor adjustably vai-ying the timing of the filling cycle whereby to permit variation of. the filling height'and to accommodate dilferent size containers.

LRefeIringnow to the drawings and particularly to figs. 1 and'Z, in'general the'present gravity type filling machine" illustrated as embodied in a" semi-automatic typeof machine wherein the containers'm are supported onanelevatinglatform 12' in alignment with their respective filling heads indicated generally at 14 and manually elevatedf intooperative relation to the filling he'ads to r'ec'eive the liquid discharged from the filling ea'd nozzles. In general thecontainer supporting and elevating means'niay take the form'of the supporting and elevating meehanism' shown" in'the United States patent teP'enn'ock; No. l; '/'3l7,677,' wherein the containers are moved by a conveyor 11- onto the supporting platform 12"which is: mounted on a slide 15 arranged for reciprocatiori'iii' a bracket 16 fbrr'riing'apart of themac'hinetrame'. Ksfhereinsh'own, alever 18 pivotally' mounted at 20 in thebr'a'cket'lfi is'prov'ideclwith a handle22' at oneend' strewn a coutiterw'eight 13 at the other end thereof, the lever being connected to the slide 15' by a link 24, tans foiinin'g a toggle for entering the containers into (resistive relation to thefilling heads 14. As indicated at' 17, siiitable adjustable stop means may be provided attlieieiid of the slide" 15 for engagementwith' the lower entree thdbra'c'ke'f lnto bring-the supporting platformarrest at the preselected height; b

As herein illustrated, the filling heads-'14 are adjustably siippoited in an elongated slot formed in a horizontal litaek'etid connected to biackets' zrexteneing from a supper-ting slide 28' mounted" for vertical adjustment in e reevea pnien 3'0 er a theme mem er 32. v The sup g slide" 28 is arranged to be manually adjusted connections. including a threaded member 34 ddnlrretted to thelower en'rlfof'tlie'slid'e28i' The threaded ottiiinzof' thei mernber 34 extends through a bevelled 36 supported fr'di'n the machine's frame, and a" velled g'ear 38 riieshiiig with" the gear 36 is fast on a lfdjrijzbntal shaftfiilpiovided with a handle 42 for effect iljgmahiial rotation of the gear iii a manner similar to that slitiii n the fe'rinoek patent above referred'to'; Edith filling head T4 is provided with an inlet 44 con nected bya flexible tube 46 to the lower end or; supply t fn gqsi and as illustrated in'Fig. 2, the tank 48may be sjupportd by attacker 50' connected to the supporting slide ri ie'mber' 2 8 sotli'at in operation the supply tank attempt with the filling nozzles may be vertically ad'- jps'td' t'ti accommodate various heights and sizes of manners; I I V,

kerening new toFigs. 7 and 8,-the filling head 14 therein'shown' includes a h'ollow riier'nbe'r 52 provided witli'a chamber 54; on'e'si de ot the chamber co'r'rimunicat with the inlet 44; lower end of the member 52 with cylindrical extension 56 adapted to receive a nozzle 58 threadedly secured theretoas shown. Theliquid control valve includes a valve member 60 supported at the lower end of an-elongated rod 62 connected'at its 'upper end by a link 64 to an arm 66 fast on'a'rocker shaft'68 journaled in brackets 70 supportedby an extension from the bracket 27, as shown in- Fig. 2-.

The valveniember 60 maybe generally of acorn shape, a's illiistr'ated', pointed at its? lower end and provided a-greeveepenien-nadjacent it'supiier andlarger gianeter end into which a resilient ring 74 is placed. The resilient ring 74 may comprise rubber or rubber-like material, and the outer periphery of the resilient ring extends beyond the periphery of the body of the valve member 60 as shown. The valve member 60 is arranged to cooperate with the cylindrical-wall of an opening 76 formed in the member 5} immediately below the larger diameter chamber'54j tl1eo'periiri'g- 76 being of slightly smallerdiaipeter thanthe outer periphery of the resilient ring 74; The'diameter of the opening 55in the cylindrical extension Sd-immediately b'elowthe opening- 76 is preferably enlarged to provide clearance for vertical movement of the valve member 60 In operation when the tail/antenna? 60 is elevated into engagement with the cylindrical wa ll of opningfifii-the annular ring 74 is arranged to be slightly compressed to cut ed the fiow of the liquid passing through the filling head, and upon a slightfurther upward rr'iovement of the valve-member 60, a suction-will be created'in the nozzle portion 58 of the filling head to prevent" dripping of liquid from the nozzle upon" completion of the filling operation. The nozzle 58- illustrated in Fig. 7 is of a relatively large diameten'andin practice a screen'78' may preferably be" placed'a t the discharge end" of the nozzle to provide a' sufficient surface'tension area to assist in retaining the liquid within the nozzle when a relatively large diameter nozzle is employed. As illustrated in Fig. 9, whena relatively small diameter nozzle 79"is used the screen'- 78' may be eliminated;

Theupper portion of the hollow member 52 may be" provided with an elongatedouter tubular extension 80 provided with a cap member 82 having an opening through wh ichthevalverod62 extends; An inner elongated tubular members i'extending froin'the' chamber 54" in the member 52' forms a reservoirfor the liquidenter irig' the chamber 54whei1'- thevalve member 60' is closed, the liquid entering the chamber and rising to a predetermined level equal to the level of the liquid in the supply tank 48whereby to provide a hydrostatic head of liquid immediately above the valve to assist in starting the'flow" through the nozzle when the valve is opened. As illustiated-in Figs: 7 and Sjtherod 62 is provided with a collar Sdhaving relatively small pins 88 extending'radial- 1y therefrom inte' slidingengagement with the interior wall=of the iriher tube 8 4*tdform a centering guide for the valve member 'dfli Provision is made for operating the movable valve member 60 to eifect opening and closing of thevalve in ei' 'predete'riiiinedinterval of time, and as illustrated in Fig. 2, the rocker shaft 68 is provided with a'lever 67 fast thereon and connected to a pneumatically operated plunger itlforriiiiig ap'art of an air cylinder 92 a'rra'nged to lie-actuated to client elevation of the plunger to open the valve 60 and start the filling operation upon elevation oftlie contaihersinto operative relation to the nozzles I v to ealise descent of tlieplunger 90 to eliect elevation of the invented-Her 60 and 'cti't' ofi the supplyof liquidi As illustrated in detail in Figs. 10 and 11, the airc'yliri'der 9 2 is''pro'vided'at its loweiend witha slide valve 9 3 normally maintained in thepesiuen shown in Fig. 11 by a spring 96 in whichposition apassage'way 98 the slide valve is aligned with a passageway formed in the cylinder, the; passageway 10th communicating with passageways 102 104,105 and 106 leading intothe upper end of the cylinder chamber 108 in which a piston 11% formed at the-end of the plunger 90 is vertically movable. When the passageways are thus aligned, as shown in Fig. 11',-

escape through passageways 112, 1 14,- 116' into the slide valve chamber 1 17'fioin" which the may escape to" 14', and after a' predetermined interval of time the atmosphere through a passageway 118, as shown. The passageway 98 is connected to a source of compressed air by a pipe 99 for effecting movement of the plunger 90, and the slide valve chamber 117 is connected by a pipe 101 to a source of compressed air for effecting movement of the slide valve 94 to the right, as illustrated in Fig. 10. When thus moved to the right, the passageway 98 in the slide valve is aligned with a central passageway 120 formed in the cylinder which communicates with the underside of the piston 110 in the chamber 108, thus effecting upward movement of the plunger 91) to rock the valve member 69 downwardly and effect opening of the liquid control valve 60. The air above the piston 110 is permitted at this time to escape through passageways 106, 105, 104, 192 and 100, the passageway 100 communicating with a passageway 122 formed in the slide valve 94 which in turn communicates with an atmospheric opening 124, as shown. From the description thus far it will be observed that through the connections described the pneumatically operated plunger 90 is arranged to be raised and lowered to effect opening and closing of the liquid control valve 60.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 14, provision is made for automatically controlling the operation of the air cylinder 92 to effect opening of the valve 60 when the containers are elevated into operative relation to the filling heads 14, and after a predetermined interval of time to effect reversal of operation of the air cylinder 92 and closing of the valve 60. As herein shown, the air cylinder 92 forms part of a compressed air line having a source of compressed air, such as an air compressor, diagrammatically indicated at 126, which is connected through the usual filter 128, air gauge 130 and shutoff valve 132 to a branch air line 134. The air line 134 may be provided with a conventional air regulator 136 and a lubricator 138 and is connected by an air line 149 through a cam operated control valve 142 and a normally open manually controlled valve 144 to the pipe 101 communicating with the slide valve chamber 117 of the air cylinder 92. The cam operated valve 142, as shown in Figs. 4 and 15, may comprise a cylindrical disk 145 mounted to rock in a casing 146 provided with inlet and outlet passageways 148, 158 respectively for connec tion to the air line 140, the disk 145 having a through port 152 arranged in alignment with the passageways 148, 150 when the disk is rocked into one position of operation, as shown in Fig. 5, to permit air to pass through the line 141) to the valve chamber 117 of the air cylinder 92. The disk 145 is also provided with a second passageway 154 arranged to be aligned with the inlet passageway 148 and which extends radially through the periphery of the disk for alignment with an atmospheric passageway 156 formed in the casing 146 when the disk 145 is rocked into another position of operation, as indicated in Fig. 6. As herein shown, the disk 145 is provided with a T- shaped extension 158 having a cam roll 160 at one end of the T for cooperation with a cam 162 fast on a one revolution cam shaft 164 supported in bearings 166 attached to the base 168 of the machine frame, as shown in Fig. 1. The other end of the T is provided with a rod 170 slidingly extended through an opening in a bracket 172. A spring 174 coiled about the rod and interposed between a collar 175 fast on the rod and a washer bearing against the inner face of the bracket 172 serves to rock the disk 145 in a counterclockwise direction,- as shown in Fig. 6, to align the passageway 154 with the atmospheric opening 156, the cam operating to rock the disk clockwise to align the through port 152 with the air lines 140.

As diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 14, when the valve 142 is opened to permit air to pass through lines 140 and 101, the slide valve 94 is moved to the right, as shown in Fig. 10, to align passageway 98 with a source of compressed air through pipe 99 to effect elevation of the plunger 90. As herein shown, the pipe 99 is con- 6.. nected to a second branch air line also provided with a conventional air regulator 137 and lubricator 139, as shown in Fig. 14.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the one revolution cam shaft 164 is arranged to be rotated through connections from a motor 176 which drives the input shaft 178 of a commercially available variable speed hydraulic transmission unit 181 The output shaft of the transmission unit 189 is connected to a gear reduction unit 182 which in turn is connected by a belt and pulley drive 184 to the driving element of a conventional one revolution clutch 185 mounted on the cam shaft 164. As illustrated in Fig. 16, the driven element of the one revolution clutch 185 is arranged to be disengaged from the driving element thereof by a latch arm 186 pivotally mounted at 188 in a bracket 190 attached to the base of the machine, the latch arm being provided with a cutout portion 192 arranged to engage a pin 194 carried by the driven element to effect disengagement of the clutch. A spring 196 is arranged to rock the latch arm in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 16, and the free end of the arm is arranged to bear against the plunger 198 of a pneumatically operated clutch trip valve 290. The valve 200 is connected in a branch air line 2112 which also includes a normally closed pilot valve 294 arranged to be opened upon elevation of the container supporting platform 12, and a standard flow control valve 286, as shown in Fig. 14. The plunger 198 may be spring urged downwardly, and when the pilot valve 284 is opened the plunger is elevated to rock the arm 186 counterclockwise to permit engagement of the clutch to start a cycle of operation, the arm 186 immediately returning to its initial position to effect disengagement of the clutch at the end of one revolution. A second latching arm 208' also pivotally mounted at 188 and having a spring 210 for urging the arm in a clockwise direction is provided with a roller 212 arranged to engage a cutout portion in a disk 214 fast on the cam shaft 164 for effecting stopping of the cam shaft in the same radial position at the end of each cycle of operation. As shown in Fig. 17 and in dot and dash lines in Fig. 16, the free end of the arm 208 is provided with a set screw 216 arranged to be engaged by the free end of the latch arm 186 when the latter is urged upwardly by the clutch trip plunger 198 to raise the roller 212 out of locking engagement with the disk 214 at the same time the clutch is permitted to become engaged.

As above described, the valve 294 connected in the branch air line 2132 is arranged to be opened upon elevation of the supporting platform 12 to bring the containers into operative position to their respective filling heads 14. As indicated generally in Fig. 1 and in detail in Fig. 3, the valve 294 may comprise a rotary disk type of valve, similar to that shown in Fig. 4, provided with ports arranged to permit passage of air therethrough when rocked in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 3 and to vent the air line to the atmosphere when rocked in a counterclockwse direction. The valve 294 is mounted on a bracket 218 attached to the machine frame, and a spring 220 connected to one end of the T-shaped extension from the rotary disk is arranged to urge the valve into a closed position. The other end of the T-shaped extension is provided with a roller 224 arranged to be engaged by a trip latch 226 pivotally mounted at 228 in an extension 230 carried by and movable with the supporting platform 12, as shown in Fig. 3. The latch 226 is provided with an offset portion 232 carrying a stud 234, one end of which engages the underside of the extension to limit the rocking movement of the latch in a clockwise direction. The other end of the stud is provided with a spring 236 connected to the extension which permits counterclockwise rocking of the latch 226 upon downward movement of the supporting platform and engagement with the roller so as to enable the latch asses-es leans theretieaanaremta toitsi'nitial position daring its d esoeiiding'mb'venient.

In the operation of the filling machine'thiisfar de:

siirihed, it be" observed that when the supporting platfroifi' 12" is" elevated to present the containers into op'era'tiverelation to the fillingheads I4; the latch 226 oa'aiiedfby the supporting platformlz'efiectstripping of sis-valve ZMt'o open'the same, thereby" effecting'eleva-" tion of the pluiiger 19 8 of the clutch tripv'alve 20010" permit en agement of' the clutch and start rotation or theorierevolution shaft 164: The earn 162 then effects dpeniiig'o'f the valve 142 to cause shifting of the slide valife9 i to" thfiight', as shown in Fig. 10, permitting compressed air to" enter from lin'e 99 to eiiect elevation of the pliihger 9li ain'd downward opening of the valve rifehiber'fitltostart'the new of liquid through the" filling ribzizls into the containers. After a-predeterminedand se ctad'iatervn of time, determinedby the'rate of speed (if the one revolution cam shaft; the cam 162 etfects closihg of the'valve 142; thus permitting movement of the* slide valve 94 to the left, as shown in Fig. 11, perriiittiiigcompressed airfrom line 99' to cause descent of tliep'lung'r 90 an'd effecting upward closing of tlieliquid dcfn'trbl alve 665 Thereafter, the one revolution shaft" 1t i4is di'senga'ge'd by the latch arm-186 at the end of its'oiie revolution, and the latch arm 20$ e'fie'cts lock mg of the shaft in a predetermined position prepara-' and easily varied to" obtain the exact filling time r'e-' q'uii'e'd b'y' adjustment of the hydraulic variable speed transmission unit 180. As shown in Fig. 1, the vari-' able speed unit 180 may be provided with a controlknob 181 to vary the speed of the output shaft thereof to either increase'or decrease the filling time to obtain theiexact filling height required in the containers;

In practice'- it-was found that a rapid opening of theliquidcont rolvalve 60- and a relatively slowclosing of the valve is conducive to most efficient filling operation. In operatiohwhen the'va'lve 60 is opened, the-liquid accumulated in the tube 84 above the chamber 541 in tho-filliiig head 14 eifects rapid starting of the filling" The earn 162 which controls the valve- 60' may be designed to" effect rapid opening of the air valve; M2 a'ridshifting of slide valve 94 to" permit the fulloperation.

press'ureof airline 99 to enter the air cylinder 92 and" enact rapid opening of the vlave 60* at the start of the filling operation: Thereafter, as the cam shaft 1 64' apreaeheethe end of the filling time, the cam 162 may h designe'd to efiec't relatively slow closing of the valve" 1 42 and slow shifting of the slide valve 94 so thatrevorsal of operation of the air cylinder 92- is accomplished relatively slowly by an initial reduced air pressure from air line 99. As above described, gradual closing of the valve 60 effects a minimum disturbance of the; liquid when approaching the filling height in the container which is conducive to accurate filling operation, and a slight continued upward movement of the valve member after closing off the flow of the liquid through the nozzle effects a slight suction to retain the column of liquid reina'ining below the valve member within the nozzle so as to prevent dripping therefrom and to thus enable exact amounts of liquid to be measured into successive containers eac'h filling operation.

lt will be observed that in the operation of the present liquid controlival ve 60 both the opening and the closing movement 6f the valve are positively castrated and that classiest th'e with an upward strata tennis to tapered? the new gradually fer-accurate fillingtoperag tio'n, While the movable vnvemember fillrna'y obvi ously comprise a n" all-rubber ping o1 aplu'g of" other resilient material; such as'synthetl'erubb'en the disclosed st'ructiire" embodying an amrlilar resilie'rit' men'rber" sup: ported in a" grooved" portion of the rigid body ofthe valve provides a relatively" simple and economical s't'ruc tureornaaufaemre and riiay" be easily and economically replaced When'worn; I

In accordance with another feature of the preseiit' iaveatiea conducive to accurate fillin'g operation; never provision ism'ade for'maintaininga substantially forth levelof liquid in the" supply tank at all titties" whereby" to" produce a substantially constant hydrostatic head of liquid tl1'ereirr t -v m intain a uniformpies'suie flow of liquidltothe lillingfhe'ads" during the fillin'g ap era'tion. As illustrated in Fig. I, the supplytank' 48 isf arranged to receive liqiiid from a main supply thereof through a pipe 250 having" avalve 252' arranged to be openedupori' a slightloweringof the level'of the liquid in the tank 48" from a predetermined level and tbjb'e' closed when said predetermined level is reached. The valve 252 is preferably" arranged to be actuated through pneumatically operated control means; and as herein Shawn, a" float" 254" guided for vertical movement in the tank 48' is provided with a valveniernber 256 arranged to cooperate with an" air je't' 258 forming a part ofjthe pneumatic control mechanism. As shown in detail Fig. 13, the air' jet 25s is' secured in" a block ztl'having" a chamber 262 provided with an inlet 264' having" a restricted th'roat portio'n'266; th'e'air'jet' having a'p'assa'ge way provided with a restricted'orifice268throughwhich the aiiis discharged. As indicated inFi'g'. 14, the inlet air line 135, and thechamber 2621s also provided intermediate passageway 27ll connected by apipe 272 to a pilot valve" 274. The pilot valve 274- is conriectedin a compressed air'liri'e'276'from' the branch lin'ef 13s to the slide valve hamber' of an air cylinder'278 which may and preferably will comprise an air cylinder of the type shown in Figs. l0'and 11 except'tha't it may be inverted, as" indicated in Fig. 12-. The piston rod or plunger 280 of the air cylinder 278 may be conri'ect'edtoone er'id of'a' rocker arm 282' pivotally mounted at 284- in a bracket extended from the valve housing 252'. The other end of the rocker arm282 is connectedby a'p'in' and slot connection 285 and to rod" 287 to the valve n ember 286 which is' vertically movable in a chamber 283 formed in the liousing'and in communication with passageways 291, 293 forming a continuation'of the inlet pipe 250; The valve member 286'is providedwith an opening 290 arranged to be aligned with the inlet passageways in one position'of operation, and in' another position of operation the valve member is arranged to cut oil the flow of liquid through the pipe 250. The air cylinder 27$" is connected to a" compressed air line 292 forming a branch of line 134, as diagrammatically shown in'Fig. T4.

In the operation of the liquid level control mechanism" above described, the pilot valve 274 is' normally spring closed to prevent passage of compressed air to the slide valve chamber of air cylinder 278 so that the slide valve of air cylinder 278 is aligned with passageways similar to those shownin Fig; 11 except that the air cylinder is inverted to effect upward movement of the piston rod 280 and downward movement of the valve'rod 287', thus opening the valve 286 to permit the flow of liquid through theinlet pipe into the tank 48. When the level of the liquid in the tank approaches the predetermined level the valve member 256 will be raised by the float 254 into proximity to the discharge orifice 2 68 of the air jet 258', thus iihpeditig the discharge of air there'- th'roiig'li and efiec'tiri'g a s'iibstantial increase in themessiir'e the chamber 262 s'uificielit to effect epefiia ef the pilot valve 274. The compressed air in line 276 is thus permitted to eifect shifting of the slide valve in air cylinder 278 to align the passageways in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. except that the air cylinder is inverted to effect downward movement of the piston rod 280 and upward movement of the valve member 286 to close off the flow of liquid into the supply tank 48. It will be understood that in practice the valve member 256 is normally spaced at short distance from the jet orifice 268 and that a relatively small increment of movement toward the jet orifice will efiect a substantial incerase in the pressure in the chamber 262 to effect closing of the inlet valve, and that a relatively small downward movement of the valve member 256 when the level of the liquid is lowered by withdrawal therefrom during the filling operation will substantially reduce the pressure in the chamber 262 to permit full opening of the inlet valve 286 whereby to maintain a substantially constant predetermined level of liquid in the supply tank 48. In other words the illustrated valve structure will immediately sense a relatively small with drawal of liquid to elfect full opening of the valve 286 to quickly replace the withdrawn liquid so as to maintain a substantially constant hydrostatic head of liquid and pressure flow through the filling heads which is conducive to rapid, accurate and efiicient filling operation.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the upwardly extended tubular portions 80, 84 of the filling heads 14 preferably extend above the predetermined filling level of the liquid in the tank 48, as indicated at 300, so that in operation the liquid entering the filling head chamber 54 when. the valve 60 is closed will rise in the inner tubular member 84 until it reaches a height equal to the level of the liquid in the tank 48 to provide a head of liquid above the valve 60 sufficient to effect rapid starting of the filling operation, as described, when the valve 60 is opened.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a plurality of containers are simultaneously filled in the manner herein described, one air cylinder 92 being provided for all of the filling heads to effect simultaneous opening and closing of all of the liquid control valves 64 As herein shown, the lever 67 fast on the rocker shaft 68 is connected to the plunger 90 of the air cylinder 92, and the arms 66 also fast on the rocker shaft are connected to the individual valve rods 62. In practice each filling head is carefully constructed to maintain close tolerances in dimensions so that the passageways and nozzle diameters of each head will be substantially the same whereby in operation each filling head will respond to the control mechanism in a similar manner to provide accurate amounts of liquid in each container. However, in the event that there is any slight variation in amount in the different containers, vertical adjustment of the inner tubular member 84 to present the lower end thereof in the path of the inlet 44 and in a manner such as to partially restrict the flow through the inlet 44 is effective to slightly reduce the amount of liquid delivered to a particular container whereby to provide equal amounts in each container.

From the above description it will be observed that the present structure of gravity type filling machine is capable of producing accurately filled containers by the coaction of the novel positively operated liquid control valve; accurate and adjustably variable timing mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the control valve; and quick acting and efiicient constant level control mechanism for maintaining a substantially uni form hydrostatic head in the supply tank for controlling the rate of flow of the liquid to the filling heads.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a container filling machine of the character described, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet and a cylindrical outlet, a liquid control valve comprising a vertically movable valve member having a sealing element of resilient material for cooperation with a portion of said cylindrical outlet, said outlet portion being elongated and of a uniform and slightly smaller diameter than said valve member, the walls of said outlet portion forming a continuous seat for said valve member, said resilient sealing element of the valve member being slightly compressed when moved upwardly beyond the end of and into sliding engagement with the Walls of said reduced diameter seat portion to close the valve, the sealing element of the valve member being movable within the walls of said reduced diameter portion.

2. In a container filling machine of the character described, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet, a cylindrical outlet having a portion of reduced diameter and a filling nozzle extended from said outlet, a liquid control valve comprising a vertically movable valve member having a sealing element of resilient material for cooperation with said reduced diameter portion of said outlet forming a seat therefor, said reduced diameter portion being elongated and of uniform diameter, said resilient sealing element of the valve member being slightly compressed when moved upwardly beyond the lower end of and into sliding engagement with the walls of said reduced diameter seat portion to close the valve seat, continued upward movement of the compressed sealing element of the valve member within the reduced diameter portion creating a suction in said extended nozzle portion below the valve member whereby to prevent dripping from the nozzle at the end of a,

filling operation.

3. A filling machine as defined in claim 2 wherein the movable valve member comprises a rigid material having an annular resilient portion for cooperation with the walls of said reduced diameter seating portion.

4. A filling machine as defined in claim 2 which includes a liquid supply wherein the chamber is also provided with an elongated hollow upward extension open to the atmosphere and into which the supply liquid will rise to the supply level when the valve is closed to form a column of liquid above the valve to assist in effecting a rapid start of the flow when the valve is opened.

5. In a container filling machine of the character described, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet and a cylindrical outlet and a filling nozzle extended from said outlet having a portion of reduced diameter, a liquid control valve comprising a vertically movable valve member provided with an annular groove, a resilient ring disposed in said groove for cooperation with the walls of said reduced diameter portion of said outlet, said reduced diameter portion being elongated and of uniform diameter, the walls thereof forming a continuous seat for said resilient ring, said resilient ring being slightly compressed when the resilient ring of the valve member is moved upwardly beyond the lower end of and into sliding engagement with the Walls of said reduced diameter seat portion to close the valve, continued upward movement of the valve member within the reduced diameter portion creating a suction in said extended nozzle portion below the valve member whereby to prevent dripping from the nozzle at the end of a filling operation.

6. A filling machine as defined in claim 5 wherein the outlet includes an enlarged diameter clearance space for said valve member between the reduced diameter seat portion and said nozzle.

7. In a container filling machine of the character described, a liquid supply having a predetermined liquid level, a filling head having a chamber provided with 'a' liquid supply inlet operatively connected to said liquid greases supply and having 'a' dischar ge dutlet; a liquid control valve cbope'fatifig with said outlet, said chamber-else hadiiigfian elongated upward extensidnf open to 'theatiiio'sf pfher and into which the liquid will flow from theliqnid" sdpply'when the valve is closedand forminga r'eservoir' eohimn'rot.liquidab'ove'the chamber and th'e valve ending to'the supply level to assist in' efie'ctiu'g' a fa'pid's'tart of the flow when the valvefis opened.

8'. In a" container filling machine of the character dtsenbedj a liquid supply having a predetermined liquid? levlj. a filling head having a chamber provided with' a liquid supply inlet o'p'eratively" connected to said'liqiiidl sup ly and havin a discharge" outlet; a liquid contif'ol valve cooperating with" said outlet; said chamber also Eavinga'n' elo'ng'atedupward extension open to the'at'riio's phere and into which the liquid .will flow from the liquid si'lpplywhen the valve: is closed and forming a reservoir fora column of liquid above the chamber and the valve corresponding to said predetermined lever to a'ssist in effecting" airapid start of the flow when the" valve is" o eaedi Sa'id extension containing a" member mountedf forfvertical' movement in said chamber" r'elative'to said liqiiid'supp'ly inlet, and means for adjustingsaidniemhef relative to'the liquid supply inlet, whereby to vary" the rarest fiowthrbugh said supply'irilet.

9 In co tainer" filling" machine of the character described, a" liquid supply t'a'nk havin a" redetermined liquid level, a filling headhaving a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet operatively connected to an disposed below the level of the' liquid in the supply think, a liquid control valve cooperating with said outle'tl said chamber also having an elongated upward eiiansj ida open to'the atmosphere and into which the liquid Wilhrisewhen the valve is closed to the predetermined: level of the liquid in the supply tank forming a reservoir for" a column or liquid directly above the chamber and tugvalve to assist in etfecting a-rapid start of the flow of'liquidwhen the valve is opened.

10. In a container' filling machine of the character described, a filli'n'g'he'ad having a chamber provided With a ii'ihlet', a cylindrical outlet having a portion of reduced diameter and a filling nozzle extended from said outlet, liquid contr'ol valve comprising. a vertically movable valve member having a sealing element of resilient material for cooperation with the walls of said reduced diameter portion of said outlet forming a seat therefor, said outlet being. elongated and of uniform diameter and providing acontinuous seat for the valve member, said resilient sealing element of the valve member being slightly compressed when moved upwardly beyond the end of and into sliding engagement with said reduceddiameter seat portion toclose the valve, continued upward movement of the sealing element of the valve member within the reduced diameter portioncreating; a. su'ction in said extended nozzle portion to prevent dripping from the nozzle at the end of a filling. operation, and means for opening and closing said valve member independently of container cooperation includ= ing. means for controlling the valve movement to effect a rapid opening and a relatively slow closing movementwhereby to taper oil the flow and efiect a minimum disturbanee of the liquid during the closing movement.

ll. In a container filling machine of the character described, a filling head having a chamber providedwith inlet, a cylindrical outlet having a portion of reduced diameter and a filling nozzle extended from said outlet, a liquid control valve comprising a vertically movable valve'inember having a Sealing element" of resilient material for cooperation With the walls of said reduced diameter portion of said outlet forming a continuous seat therefor, said resilient sealing element of the valve member-being slightlycompre'ssedwhen moved upwardly b eybnd tlie end of and into sliding, engagement With the wal s" ofs'id rediic'ed diameter" seat 'po rticin t6 close the vnvt, continued upward movement of the"se'aling eie= merit of the valve member within the reduced diameter portion creating a suction in said extended nozzle per-'- tion to prevent dripping from the nozzle at the end of" a filling operation, means operated independently of container cooperation for opening and closing said valve member including means for controlling the valve move ment to efiect a rapid opening and a relatively slow closingmovement whereby to taper off the flow and efiect a minimum disturbance of the liquid during'the closing movement, liquid supply means for providing a uniform pressure and velocity of flow of liquid through said filling nozzle, and means for controlling the filling time to provide uniform amounts of liquid in successive containers;

12. A filling machine as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for controlling the filling time includes a one revolution clutch, and adjustably variable driving means connected to said one revolution clutch for varying' said filling time. I

13. A filling machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the container is supported on a platform for elevating the container into operative filling position to the filling head, said control means including means actuated by said elevating platform for initiatingv operation of said one revolution clutch.

14. A filling machine as defined in claim 13 wherein the control means comprises a pneumatic system ineluding an air cylinder operatively connected to said liquid control valve, and a cam operated valve in said system for controlling the operation of said air cylind'er to effect said rapid opening a'ndrela'tively slow'closing movement'of the liquid control valve.

15. A filling machine as defined in claim 14 which includes a manually operated valve in said system for effecting closing of the liquid control valve independently of said cam operated valve.

16. In a container filling machine of the character described, a liquid supply, a filling head having a chamber provided with a liquid supply inlet operatively connect'ed to the supply and a discharge outlet, a liquid control valve cooperating with said outlet, said liquid supply including means for maintaining a uniform pressure and velocity of flow of liquid through said filling head whereby to produce a stream of predetermined volume per unit of time, means for supporting a container in operative and non-sealing relation to said discharge outlet, and means operated independently of container cooperation and independently of the weight of the liquid in the container for opening and closing said liquid control valve including pneumatically operated control means operatively connected to the valve for controlling the filling and a timer controllingv said control means to provide uniform amounts of liquid in successive containers and including means for effecting a rapid opening and a relatively slow closing movement of the valve whereby to taper oil the flow and effect a minimum disturbance of the liquid during the closing movement.

17. In a container filling-I machine of the character described, a liquid supplyi tank, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet opera tively connected to the supply tank, a liquid control valve cooperating? with said outlet, means for maintaining a substantially constant pre'determinedlevel ofliquid in saidsupply tank during the filling operation includ ing; a supply valve, afloat in said tank, and pneumati' eall'y operatedmeaas controlled by said float and oper'atively connected to said supplyvalve for effecting full opening" of said supply valve upon a relatively small withdrawal of liquid and a correspondinglysmall lowering of said p"fedeterinii'iedlevel and full closing? of said supply valve upon a correspondingly small addition of liquid and mm to said predetermined level whereby 13 to maintain a substantially constant hydrostatic head of liquid in the tank during the filling operation, said pneumatically controlled means including means for effecting a rapid increase or decrease in air pressure for actuating said supply valve upon a relatively small movement of said float.

18. In a container filling machine of the character described, a liquid supply tank, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet operatively connected to the supply tank, a liquid control valve cooperating with said outlet, means for maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level of liquid in said supply tank during the filling operation including a supply valve, a float in said tank, and means controlled by said float and operatively connected to said supply valve for effecting full opening of said supply valve upon a relatively small withdrawal of liquid and lowering of said predetermined level whereby to maintain a substantially constant hydrostatic head of liquid in the tank during the filling operation, said float controlled means including a pneumatically operated control unit having an air chamber provided with a restricted throat for conducting air under pressure to said air chamber, said air chamber being provided with a small discharge orifice, means connected to and movable with said float cooperating with said orifice to control the escape of air therefrom to vary the pressure in said chamber in response to minute movement of said float, a pilot valve responsive to variations in pressure in said air chamber, and an air cylinder controlled by said pilot valve and operatively connected with and controlling the operation of said supply valve.

19. In a container filling machine of the character described, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet, an outlet and a filling nozzle extended from said outlet, a liquid control valve comprising a vertically movable valve member of resilient material for cooperation with a reduced portion of said outlet forming a seat therefor, said resilient valve member being slightly compressed when moved upwardly into engagement with said reduced outlet portion to close the valve and creating a suction in said extended nozzle portion to prevent dripping from the nozzle at the end of a filling operation, a liquid supply tank operatively connected to said inlet, means for maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level of liquid in said supply tank during the filling operation including a supply valve, and float controlled means operatively connected to said supply valve adapted to control the operation of the supply valve to effect full opening or closing thereof upon minute deviations from said predetermined level.

20. In a container filling machine of the character described, a supply tank, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet operatively connected to the supply tank, an outlet and a filling nozzle extended from said outlet, a liquid control valve in said filling head comprising a vertically movable valve member having a resilient portion cooperating with a reduced diameter portion of said outlet forming a seat therefor, said resilient portion being slightly compressed when the valve is moved upwardly into engagement with the reduced diameter outlet to close the valve and creating a suction in said extended nozzle portion at the end of the filling operation, means for maintaining a substantially constant predetermined level of liquid in said supply tank during the filling operation including a supply valve, and float controlled means operatively connected to said supply valve adapted to control the operation of the same to effect full opening or closing of the valve upon minute deviations from said predetermined level, and means for opening and closing said filling head valve including control means operatively connected to said filling head valve for controlling the filling time and for effecting a rapid opening and a relatively slow closing movement of the filling head valve.

21. In a container filling machine of the character described, a filling head having a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being elongated and of uniform diameter, a liquid control valve having a sealing element mounted for sliding movement within said outlet and in sealing engagement with the Walls thereof providing an elongated, continuous seat for said valve, means for moving the sealing element of the valve downwardly out of engagement with the walls of the outlet into an open position to permit liquid to flow from the chamber through the outlet to be discharged therefrom, and for thereafter moving the sealing element of the valve upwardly into and within said outlet beyond the lower end thereof to thereby create a suction in the portion of the outlet below the sealing element of the valve whereby to retain any liquid therein and prevent dripping from the nozzle at the end of a filling operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 938,577 Gull Nov. 2, 1909 1,366,929 Pasnik Feb. 1, 1921 2,526,735 Duce Oct. 24, 1950 2,660,360 Gricar et al Nov. 24, 1953 2,671,591 Franz Mar. 9, 1954 2,750,091 Mattimoe et a1. June 12, 1956 

